Swine flu scanners at 3 key airports

Three infrared sensors are now in use at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, one in Chiang Mai and another in Phuket.

Travellers found with suspicious flu symptoms that could develop into the swine influenza will be asked to undergo treatment at the staterun Bamras Naradoon Hospital in Nonthaburi, Phaijit Warachit, deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said yesterday.

Thailand has five such devices at its disposal. They beep upon detecting anyone passing the scanner gates with a body temperature above 37 degrees Celsius, which is standard for humans.

Each unit comprises an infrared thermal camera, a processor and a monitor to show the results of readings.

Since each gate can scan large groups at a time - not just people in a row - passenger flow should go smoothly at arrival lounges in those airports, said Lilit Sirisapjanant, a public health official stationed at Suvarnabhumi.